"The forecast deficit would go from roughly $2.5 trillion all the way down to $2.4 trillion. (rounding helps)."

We know Obama's stance on austerity. He believes it does not work.

What I don't get is the GOP stance. They should be welcoming the sequester cuts and asking for much more.

If Boehner thinks this , relatively, meaningless sequester will cost jobs, then what does he think will happen if the kinds of cuts his party has asked for are ever put in place?______________________

The GOP's position has always asked for long term cuts or massive changes in SS and Medicare. Cuts to defense have been off the table. The reason this tiny sequester is so laughable, is that it puts both sides in the position of outright lying.

The GOP does not welcome cuts to anything else really, except education and some public welfare options. The Democrats have done a giant disservice to the country by not even attempting to make any expense cut plan a priority. They could make their case for defense cuts as well as solid, long-term changes in healthcare. They know Medicare costs won;t be sustainable if they just leave it alone. Obamacare does little or nothing to help.

An interesting side discussion is that nobody ever proposes increasing Medicare or SS taxes, not even Republicans. Imagine dramatically reducing benefits long term, but keeping the existing taxes in place. Then, you'll understand the reality of it. Save $3 trillion in Medicare long term, shift those funds to XXXXXXe.